Near-infrared fluorimetric determination of nucleic acids by shifting the ion-association equilibrium between tetracarboxy aluminum phthalocyanine and tetra-N-hexadecylpyridiniumyl porphyrin

A new method was developed for determination of micro amounts of nucleic acids based on near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence recovery, employing a two-reagent system which is composed of an anionic tetracarboxy aluminum phthalocyanine (AlC₄Pc) and a cationic tetra-N-hexadecylpyridiniumyl porphyrin (TC₁₆PyP). The fluorescence of the AlC₄Pc, with the maximum emission wavelength at 701 nm, could be quenched by TC₁₆PyP at its proper concentration, but recovered by adding nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the recovered fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids. The calibration graphs are linear over the range of 1-200 ng mL⁻¹ for fish sperm DNA (FS DNA) and 2-400 ng mL⁻¹ for calf thymus DNA (CT DNA). The corresponding detection limits are 0.59 ng mL⁻¹ for FS DNA and 0.82 ng mL⁻¹ for CT DNA, respectively. Four synthetic and three real nucleic acid samples were determined with satisfactory results.     

Near-infrared fluorimetric determination of nucleic acids by shifting the ion-association equilibrium between heptamethylene cyanine and Alcian blue 8GX

A new method based on near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence recovery, employing a two-reagent system which is composed of an anionic heptamethylene cyanine (HMC) and a polycationic phthalocyanine dye, Alcian blue 8GX, is presented for the determination of nucleic acids. With a maximum excitation wavelength at 766 nm and a maximum emission wavelength at 796 nm, the fluorescence recovery is linear with the concentration of nucleic acids added. Factors including the acidity of the medium, the reaction time, the optimal ratio of the two reagents, as well as the influence of foreign substance were all investigated. Meanwhile, the mechanism of fluorescence recovery was also studied. Under the optimal conditions, the linear ranges of the calibration curves were 10-250 ng ml⁻¹ for calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and 10-200 ng ml⁻¹ for yeast RNA. The detection limits were 6.8 ng ml⁻¹ for CT DNA and 6.3 ng ml⁻¹ for yeast RNA, respectively. The method has been applied to the analysis of practical samples and the recovery results were satisfactory.     

Determination of nucleic acids based on the fluorescence quenching of Hoechst 33258 at pH 4.5

It was found the strong fluorescence emitted by the bis-benzimidazole derivative Hoechst 33258 at 490 nm could be efficiently quenched in pH 4.5 buffer when nucleic acids were added. Analysis of fluorescence intensity showed that the procedure was a static quenching dominated one, which was also demonstrated by the electron absorption spectra and lifetime of the excited state. The binding constant and numbers of binding sites were obtained from the Scatchard plot. The decreased fluorescence intensity was in proportion to the concentration of nucleic acids in the range 40-1800 ng ml⁻¹ for dsDNA and 26-1700 ng ml⁻¹ for ssDNA. The limits of detection were 12 and 8 ng ml⁻¹, respectively. The sensitivity of the method was about 3.4 times higher for dsDNA detection and 5.4 times higher for ssDNA detection compared with the widely used fluorescence enhancement method using the same dye. Application results to synthetic samples showed simplicity, rapidity and satisfactory reproducibility of the presented method. Measurement of real samples extracted from leaves of Crassula argentea and E. coli genome also gave satisfactory results, which were in good agreement with those obtained using spectrophotometric method.     

Synchronous fluorescence measurement of enrofloxacin in the pharmaceutical formulation and its residue in milks based on the yttrium (III)-perturbed luminescence

A simple, rapid and sensitive synchronous fluorescence method is put forward for the determination of enrofloxacin (ENRO) in the pharmaceutical formulation and its residue in milk based on the yttrium (III)-perturbed luminescence. When Y³⁺ is added into the ENRO solution, the fluorescence of ENRO is significantly enhanced. The synchronous fluorescence technology is employed in the method to determine trace amount of ENRO residue in milks. The synchronous fluorescence intensity of the system is measured in a 1-cm quartz cell with excitation wavelength of 328 nm, Δλ = 80 nm. A good linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the ENRO concentration is obtained in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ (r² = 0.9992). The limit of detection (LOD) of this method attains as low as 3.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The selectivity of this method is also very good. Common metal ions, rare-earth ions and some pharmaceuticals, which are usually used together with ENRO, do not interfere with the determination of ENRO under the actual conditions. The proposed method can be applied to determine ENRO residue in milks, and limit of quantification (LOQ) determined in the spiked milk is estimated to be 2.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (10 μg L⁻¹). Moreover, this method can be used as a rapid screening for judging whether the ENRO residues in milks exceed Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs) or not. In addition, the mechanism of the fluorescence enhancement is also discussed in detail.     

A kinetic fluorometric method for the determination of nucleic acids using a ternary equilibrium system of nucleic acids—iron (III) tetracarboxy phthalocyanine-poly-lysine coupled with the oxidation reaction between hydrogen peroxide and dl-tyrosine

Using the oxidation reaction between hydrogen peroxide and dl-tyrosine as fluorescence indication, the evident tuning effect of nucleic acids on catalytic activity of mimetic enzyme iron (III) tetracarboxy phthalocyanine (FeC₄Pc) in the presence of poly-lysine was observed and studied. The oxidation reaction between hydrogen peroxide and dl-tyrosine with FeC₄Pc as catalyst gave an intensively fluorescent compound, which has an excitation wavelength of 325 nm and an emission wavelength of 418 nm. The fluorescence was quenched by a proper concentration of poly-lysine due to its association with FeC₄Pc and consequently the descent of the catalytic activity of FeC₄Pc, but recovered by addition of nucleic acids. Under optimal conditions, the recovered fluorescence is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acids. Based on the fact, a kinetic fluorescent method was developed for the determination of nucleic acids. The calibration graphs are linear over the range 10-2000 ng/mL both for fish sperm DNA (FS DNA) and calf thymus DNA (CT DNA). The corresponding detection limits are 1.04 ng/mL for FS DNA and 1.18 ng/mL for CT DNA, respectively. Four synthetic and three real nucleic acid samples were determined with satisfactory results.     

Quantitative detection of antibody based on single-molecule counting by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with quantum dot labeling

We presented a sensitive method to quantify antibody based on single-molecule counting by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with quantum dot labeling. In this method, the biotinylated monoclonal anti-human IgG molecules were immobilized on the silanized glass substrate surface. By the strong biotin-streptavidin affinity, streptavidin-coated quantum dots were labeled to the target molecules as fluorescent probe. Then, images of fluorescent spots in the evanescent wave field were obtained by a high-sensitivity electron multiplying charge-coupled device. Finally, the number of fluorescent spots corresponding to single molecules in the subframe images was counted, one by one. The linear range of 8.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ to 5.0 × 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹ was obtained between the number of single molecules and the sample concentration.     

2-Aminopurine hairpin probes for the detection of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage

Nucleic acid exposure to radiation and chemical insults leads to damage and disease. Thus, detection and understanding DNA damage is important for elucidating molecular mechanisms of disease. However, current methods of DNA damage detection are either time-consuming, destroy the sample, or are too specific to be used for generic detection of damage. In this paper, we develop a fluorescence sensor of 2-aminopurine (2AP), a fluorescent analogue of adenine, incorporated in the loop of a hairpin probe for the quantification of ultraviolet (UV) C-induced nucleic acid damage. Our results show that the selectivity of the 2AP hairpin probe to UV-induced nucleic acid damage is comparable to molecular beacon (MB) probes of DNA damage. The calibration curve for the 2AP hairpin probe shows good linearity (R² = 0.98) with a limit of detection of 17.2 nM. This probe is a simple, fast and economic fluorescence sensor for the quantification of UV-induced damage in DNA.     

Terbium fluorescence as a sensitive,inexpensive probe for UV-induced damage in nucleic acids

Much effort has been focused on developing methods for detecting damaged nucleic acids. However, almost all of the proposed methods consist of multi-step procedures, are limited, require expensive instruments, or suffer from a high level of interferences. In this paper, we present a novel simple, inexpensive, mix-and-read assay that is generally applicable to nucleic acid damage and uses the enhanced luminescence due to energy transfer from nucleic acids to terbium(III) (Tb³⁺). Single-stranded oligonucleotides greatly enhance the Tb³⁺ emission, but duplex DNA does not. With the use of a DNA hairpin probe complementary to the oligonucleotide of interest, the Tb³⁺/hairpin probe is applied to detect ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage. The hairpin probe hybridizes only with the undamaged DNA. However, the damaged DNA remains single-stranded and enhances the intrinsic fluorescence of Tb³⁺, producing a detectable signal directly proportional to the amount of DNA damage. This allows the Tb³⁺/hairpin probe to be used for sensitive quantification of UV-induced DNA damage. The Tb³⁺/hairpin probe showed superior selectivity to DNA damage compared to conventional molecular beacons probes (MBs) and its sensitivity is more than 2.5 times higher than MBs with a limit of detection of 4.36 ± 1.2 nM. In addition, this probe is easier to synthesize and more than eight times cheaper than MBs, which makes its use recommended for high-throughput, quantitative analysis of DNA damage.     

Study on the interaction of nucleic acids with silver nanoparticles—Al(III) by resonance light scattering technique and its analytical application

It is found that Al(III) can further enhance the intensity of resonance light scattering (RLS) of the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and nucleic acids system. Based on this, a novel method of determination of nucleic acids is proposed in this paper. Under optimum conditions, there are linear relationships between the enhancing extent of RLS and the concentration of nucleic acids in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹-1.0 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹, 1.0 × 10⁻⁷-2.0 × 10⁻⁶ g mL⁻¹ for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA), 1.0 × 10⁻⁹-7.0 × 10⁻⁸ g mL⁻¹ for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) and 1.0 × 10⁻⁹-1.0 × 10⁻⁷ g mL⁻¹ for yeast RNA (yRNA). The detection limits (S/N = 3) of fsDNA, ctDNA and yRNA are 4.1 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹, 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹ and 4.5 × 10⁻¹⁰ g mL⁻¹, respectively. The studies indicate that the RLS enhancement effect should be ascribed to the formation of AgNPs-Al(III)-DNA aggregations through electrostatic attraction and adsorption bridging action of Al(III). And the sensitivity and stability of the AgNPs-fsDNA system could be enhanced by Al(III).     

Submicron hard X-ray fluorescence imaging of synthetic elements

Synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) using hard X-rays focused into sub-micron spots is a powerful technique for elemental quantification and mapping, as well as microspectroscopic measurements such as μ-XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure). We have used XFM to image and simultaneously quantify the transuranic element plutonium at the L₃ or L₂-edge as well as Th and lighter biologically essential elements in individual rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells after exposure to the long-lived plutonium isotope ²⁴²Pu. Elemental maps demonstrate that plutonium localizes principally in the cytoplasm of the cells and avoids the cell nucleus, which is marked by the highest concentrations of phosphorus and zinc, under the conditions of our experiments. The minimum detection limit under typical acquisition conditions with an incident X-ray energy of 18 keV for an average 202 μm² cell is 1.4 fg Pu or 2.9 × 10⁻²⁰ moles Pu μm⁻², which is similar to the detection limit of K-edge XFM of transition metals at 10 keV. Copper electron microscopy grids were used to avoid interference from gold X-ray emissions, but traces of strontium present in naturally occurring calcium can still interfere with plutonium detection using its L_α X-ray emission.     

An optical sensor for mercury ion based on the fluorescence quenching of tetra(p-dimethylaminophenyl)porphyrin

An optical sensor for mercury ion (Hg²⁺), based on quenching the fluorescence of the sensing reagent porphyrin immobilized in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane, has been developed. The responses to mercury ion were compared for the sensors modified with three porphyrin compounds including 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP), tetra(p-dimethylaminophenyl)porphyrin (TDMAPP) and tetra(N-phenylpyrazole) porphyrin (TPPP). Among them, TDMAPP showed the most remarkable response to Hg²⁺. The drastic decrease of the TDMAPP fluorescence intensity was attributed to the formation of a complex between TDMAPP and Hg²⁺, which has been utilized as the fabrication basis of a Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescence sensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the TDMAPP modified sensor was investigated. The response mechanism, especially involving the response difference of three porphyrin compounds, was discussed in detail. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ to 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The limit of detection was 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. The sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility, reversibility and selectivity. Also, the TDMAPP-based sensor was successfully used for the determination of Hg²⁺ in environmental water samples.     

Identification and determination of carboxylic acids in food samples using 2-(2-(anthracen-10-yl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-1-yl)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (APIETS) as labeling reagent by HPLC with FLD and APCI/MS

A new labeling reagent for carboxylic acids, 2-(2-(anthracen-10-yl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-1-yl)ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (APIETS) has been designed and synthesized. It was used to label eight fatty acids (lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid) and four hydroxy pentacyclic triterpene acids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid and maslinic acid), successfully. APIETS could easily and quickly label carboxylic acids in the presence of K₂CO₃ catalyst at 85 °C for 35 min in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. The carboxylic acids derivatives were separated on a C₈ reversed-phase column with gradient elution and fluorescence detection at λ_ex/λ_em = 315/435 nm. Identification of these derivatives was carried out by online mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in positive ion mode. The detection limits obtained were 13.37-30.26 fmol (signal-to-noise ratio of 3). The proposed method has been applied to the quantification of carboxylic acids in sultana raisin (Thompson seedless), hawthorn flake (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.), Lycium barbarum seed oil and Microula sikkimensis seed oil with recoveries over 95.3%. It has been demonstrated that APIETS is a prominent labeling reagent for determining carboxylic acids with high performance liquid chromatography.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.     

Colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on a rhodamine and Pb complex in aqueous solution

In this paper we unveil a novel rhodamine compound based fluorescent chemosensor (1-Pb²⁺) for colormetric and fluorescent detection of citrate in aqueous solution. This is the first fluorescent chemosensor for citrate based on rhodamine compound. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for citrate indicates that the method can detect citrate in aqueous solution by both color changes and fluorescent changes with long emission wavelength. In the new developed sensing system, 1-Pb²⁺ is fluorescent due to Pb²⁺-induced fluorescence enhancement of 1. However, the addition of citrate may release 1 into the solution with quenching of fluorescence. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of citrate with a linear range covering from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 2.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1-Pb²⁺ towards citrate is pH independent in medium condition (pH 6.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for citrate in the presence of other anions (even those that exist in high concentration), which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward citrate is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of citrate in urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Sensitivity of microarray based immunoassays using surface-attached hydrogels

A promising pathway to improve on the sensitivity of protein microarrays is to immobilize the capture antibodies in a three dimensional hydrogel matrix. We describe a simple method based on printing of an aqueous protein solution containing a photosensitive polymer and the capture antibody onto a plastic chip surface. During short UV-exposure photocrosslinking occurs, which leads to formation of a hydrogel, which is simultaneously bound to the substrate surface. In the same reaction the antibody becomes covalently attached to the forming hydrogel. As the capture antibodies are immobilized in the three-dimensional hydrogel microstructures, high fluorescence intensities can be obtained. The chip system is designed such, that non-specific protein adsorption is strongly prevented. Thus, the background fluorescence is strongly reduced and very high signal-to-background ratios are obtained (SBR > 6 for c_BSA = 1 pM; SBR > 100 for c_BSA > 100 pM). The kinetics of antigen binding to the arrayed antibodies can be used to determine the concentration of a specific protein (for example the tumor marker β₂-microglobulin) in solution for a broad range of analyte concentrations. By varying size and composition of the protein-filled hydrogel microstructures as well as adjusting the extent of labeling it is possible to easily adapt the surface concentration of the probe molecules such that the fluorescence signal intensity is tuned to the prevalence of the protein in the analyte. As a consequence, the signal tuning allows to analyze solutions, which contain both proteins with high (here: upper mg mL⁻¹ range) and with very low concentrations (here: lower μg mL⁻¹ range). This way quantitative analysis with an exceptionally large dynamic range can be performed.     

New method for the quantification of dequalinium cations in pharmaceutical samples by absorption and fluorescence diode array thin-layer chromatography

A diode array HPTLC method for dequalinium chloride in pharmaceutical preparations is presented. For separation a Nano TLC silica gel plate (Merck) is used with the mobile phase methanol—7.8% aqueous NH₄⁺CH₃COO⁻ (17:3, v/v) over a distance of 6 cm. Dequalinium chloride shows an R_F value of 0.58. Pure dequalinium chloride is measured in the wavelength range from 200 to 500 nm and shows several by-products, contour plot visualized in absorption, fluorescence and using the Kubelka–Munk transformation. Scanning of a single track in absorption and fluorescence measuring 600 spectra in the range from 200 to 1100 nm takes 30 s. As a sample pre-treatment of an ointment it is simply dissolved in methanol and can be quantified in absorption from 315 to 340 nm. The same separation can also be quantified using fluorescence spectrometry in the range from 355 to 370 nm. A new staining method for dequalinium chloride, using sodium tetraphenyl borate/HCl in water allows a fluorescence quantification in the range from 445 to 485 nm. The linearity range of absorption and fluorescence measurements is from 10 to 2000 ng. Sugar-containing preparations like liquids or lozenges with a reduced sample pre-treatment can be reliably quantified only in fluorescence. The total for the quantification of an ointment sample (measuring four standards and five samples), including all sample pre-treatment steps takes less than 45 min!     

A porphyrin derivative containing 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units showing unexpected ratiometric fluorescent recognition of Zn2+ with high selectivity

A porphyrin derivative (1), containing two 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units has been designed and synthesized as chemosensor for recognition of metal ions. Unlike many common porphyrin derivatives that show response to different heavy metal ions, compound 1 exhibits unexpected ratiometric fluorescence response to Zn²⁺ with high selectivity. The response of the novel chemosensor to zinc was based on the porphyrin metallation with cooperating effect of 2-(oxymethyl)pyridine units. The change of fluorescence of 1 was attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex between porphyrin ring and Zn²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 1.04 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Zn²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Zn²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Zn²⁺ with a linear range covering from 3.2 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ M and a detection limit of 5.5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 to Zn²⁺ is pH-independent in medium condition (pH 4.0-8.0) and show excellent selectivity for Zn²⁺ over transition metal cations.     

Multiplex sensor for detection of different metal ions based on on–off of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

In this study, a multiplex fluorescence sensor for successive detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions based on “on–off” of fluorescence of a single type of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) is described. Any of the Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can cause quenching fluorescence of Au NCs, which established a sensitive sensor for detection of these ions respectively. With the introduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the system of Au NCs and metal ions, a restoration of fluorescence may be found with the exception of Hg²⁺. A highly selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion is, thus, achieved by masking Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺. On the other hand, the masking of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ leads to the enhancement of fluorescence of Au NCs, which in turn provides an approach for successive determination of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ based on “on–off” of fluorescence of Au NCs. Moreover, this assay was applied to the successful detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in fish, a good linear relationship was found between these metal ions and the degree of quenched fluorescent intensity. The dynamic ranges of Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 1.96 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.01 × 10⁻⁹, 1.28 × 10⁻⁷–1.27 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M with high sensitivity (the limit of detection of Fe³⁺ 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, Cu²⁺ 1.9 × 10⁻⁸ M and Hg²⁺ 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). These results indicate that the assay is suitable for sensitive detection of these metal ions even under the coexistence, which can not only determine all three kinds of metal ions successively but also of detecting any or several kinds of metal ions.     

A cost-effective and practical polybenzanthrone-based fluorescent sensor for efficient determination of palladium (II) ion and its application in agricultural crops and environment

A highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor suitable for practical measurement of palladium ion (Pd²⁺) in agricultural crops and environment samples has been successfully fabricated using polybenzanthrone (PBA). PBA was facilely electrosynthesized in the mixed electrolyte of acetonitrile and boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. The fluorescence intensity of PBA showed a linear response to Pd²⁺ in the concentration range of 5 nM–0.12 mM with a detection limit of 0.277 nM and quantification limit of 0.925 nM. Different compounds existing in agricultural crops and environment such as common metal ions, anions, natural amino acids, carbohydrates, and organic acids were used to examine the selectivity of the as-fabricated sensor, and no obvious fluorescence change could be observed in these interferents and their mixtures. A possible mechanism was proposed that the coordination of PBA and Pd²⁺ enhance the aggregation of polymer chains, which led to a significant quenching of PBA emission, and this was further confirmed by absorption spectra monitoring and transmission electron microscopy. The excellent performance of the proposed sensor and satisfactory results of the Pd²⁺ determination in practical samples suggested that the PBA-based fluorescent sensor for the determination of Pd²⁺ will be a good candidate for application in agriculture and environment.     

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer between acridine orange and rhodamine 6G and its analytical application for vitamin B12 with flow-injection laser-induced fluorescence detection

By coupling flow-injection with laser-induced fluorescence detection, a setup was developed and a novel method combining fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and flow-injection analysis (FIA) was proposed for the determination of vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂) based on its fluorescence quenching on the system of acridine orange (AO)/rhodamine 6G (R6G). The effective energy transfer could occur between AO and R6G in the dodecyl benzene sodium sulfonate (DBS) while 454 nm argon laser was used as the excitation source, and as a result, the fluorescence emission of R6G has been increased significantly. It was found that the fluorescence of the above system could be sharply diminished by VB₁₂. By using the mixed solution AO-R6G-DBS and the same solution containing VB₁₂ as the carrier and sample, respectively, a series of negative peaks which could be applied for the quantification of VB₁₂ were obtained. The detection limit for VB₁₂ was 1.65 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L. The linear range for determining VB₁₂ was 4 × 10⁻⁴ to 2 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L (correlation coefficient, r = 0.9923). The method was applied to measure VB₁₂ injections with satisfactory results.